The wedding of Jess and Gaz at Flagstone Farm Cottages was a truly unforgettable celebration! On May 11th, 2019, they exchanged vows in an idyllic outdoor ceremony, surrounded by the picturesque views of the countryside and a stunning flower arch. As the sun shone down on them, they were surrounded by loved ones and the beauty of nature. Following their romantic ceremony, the couple transitioned into party mode, where they danced the afternoon and night away beneath the stars in a lavish marquee. The space was transformed with whimsical fairy lights, delicate pink flowers, and thoughtful touches like pink vodka favors, creating an atmosphere that was pure magic. Jess dazzled in her lace Justin Alexander gown and Jimmy Choo heels, while Gaz looked dashing in his pale grey jacket, navy chinos, and tan shoes – a perfect blend of modern smart casual style. Their overall aesthetic was nothing short of breathtaking. We’re also thrilled to showcase the divine stationery, proteas everywhere, and sunset portraits that captured the essence of their special day. A huge thank you goes out to Jessy Papasavva Photography for sharing these enchanting images with us.
The Proposal
After eight years of anticipation, Jess expected a proposal worthy of the wait. What she got instead was an unexpected surprise from Gaz – he dropped down on one knee in their living room, clad only in his pants, in the middle of the afternoon. While the initial shock was amusing, the couple’s friends had gathered at the local pub to celebrate, and they spent the entire night reveling in the joyous occasion. The proposal itself wasn’t a surprise – Gaz had taken Jess diamond shopping two months prior and worked with his friend Lee from @shawsjewellery to create a custom ring that perfectly captured Jess’s design.
The Vision
We envisioned an effortlessly laid-back wedding that still honored traditional English elements, along with some fantastic tunes. To achieve this, we sought a venue that offered unrestricted food and beverage options, allowing our guests to indulge freely without worrying about constraints. Additionally, we wanted a location that could accommodate all of our friends for an unforgettable weekend celebration, featuring a Friday welcome party, Saturday wedding, and Sunday BBQ and games day. Since many of our guests were traveling from London, Oxford, and Liverpool, we prioritized a venue within a reasonable driving distance to minimize travel stress. The Cotswolds emerged as the perfect fit, offering us the freedom to have most of our loved ones on site with us throughout the weekend. We also aimed for a relaxed dress code, ensuring our bridal party felt at ease by allowing groomsmen to wear their own jackets and bridesmaid dresses to reflect each girl’s unique style. As music lovers, we made sure to incorporate plenty of live performances – a singer during the day and a band in the evening – to create an unforgettable soundtrack for our special day.
The Planning Process
The venue hunt was over, and we’d secured the perfect spot – one that only allowed two weddings per year, ensuring our special day would be truly unique. The date was set by the venue’s availability, and we were thrilled to find that the 11th weekend in May was the only free slot for all our cottages. It was a done deal!Next up, we focused on catering. We’d decided to enlist the help of family friends to bring some personal touches to the menu. With the date locked in, it was time to start planning the finer details.Emma, a talented friend with a knack for design, took charge of creating our stunning Save the Dates and wedding invite suite. Her work truly brought our vision to life!Music was another priority. We booked the perfect tunes, along with a photo booth, to keep our guests entertained. And, as we planned the flower arrangements, we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the opportunity to DIY (with the guidance of our friend Gail from @twigsandtwine, of course).To make the most of our budget, we opted to create our own bouquets and buttonholes – a cost-effective way to add some personal flair. It was also time to stock up on our wedding essentials, including a year’s supply of alcohol! We took advantage of supermarket sales to purchase our drinks in bulk and returned any unopened bottles if they didn’t get fully consumed.Glass hire was another clever move we made. Not only did it save us money, but it also allowed us to return the glasses clean and without worrying about breakage – a win-win!Finally, we built our wedding website and set up a honeymoon gift list on Prezola. After seven years of living together, this approach felt like the perfect fit for us.
Budget
In an effort to minimize expenses, our outlay for the project came in at approximately £25,000. A significant factor contributing to this relatively modest figure was our ability to leverage relationships with numerous friends and acquaintances who offered us substantial discounts. These generous gestures proved instrumental in keeping costs under control.
The Venue
Flagstone Farm Cottages, located in Stow on the Wold, is a picturesque rental property that offers five cottages catering to groups of varying sizes – from intimate gatherings for two to larger events accommodating up to 18 people. Primarily, they host corporate retreats and conferences, but they do permit a limited number of weddings per year. What really sealed the deal for us was their willingness to allow us to set up a marquee on site at no extra cost. To bring our vision to life, we partnered with The Oxford Marquee Company, who provided us with a competitive quote and offered a discount thanks to their existing relationship with our catering team.
Groomsmen
When it came to outfitting our team, we opted for a mix of own jackets, T M Lewin shirts, and H&M chinos. To add a personal touch, we cut pocket squares from a bulk roll of material and simply folded them ourselves. This DIY approach not only saved us time but also resulted in significant cost savings – we managed to create all the pocket squares for under £10 each, a fraction of the typical high-street price of around £15 apiece. In total, this frugal approach allowed us to save a substantial £200.
Beauty
We’re thrilled to have a talented trio of glam professionals as part of our team. Behind the scenes, they’ve been working their magic to bring our wedding inspiration to life. Laurenomakeup brings her expertise in bridal make-up, while charlottejball and lydiagrundycreative team up for stunning hair designs. For bridesmaid looks, laurenomakeup and lydiagrundycreative join forces again, delivering flawless make-up and coiffed locks.
Your Outfits & Accessories
When it comes to styling the perfect wedding party, attention to detail is key. From the bride’s stunning Justin Alexander wedding dress to the groom’s dashing attire, every element matters. For starters, the groom’s look can be elevated with a sleek Riess jacket and a crisp T M Lewin shirt. Pair these with stylish trousers from H&M and vintage-inspired shoes from Hugo Boss for a look that exudes sophistication and charm. Meanwhile, the bride’s Jimmy Choo wedding shoes are sure to turn heads and complete her overall aesthetic. By carefully curating each piece of attire, the couple can create a cohesive and memorable wedding party look that reflects their unique style and personalities.
The Readings & Music
The ceremony featured three readings: ‘A Fable of Love and Time’, ‘The Apache Marriage Blessing’, and an excerpt from The Notebook. As the bride and groom exchanged their vows, Ellie Goulding’s ‘How Long Will I Love You’ sang by Pat Amos provided a heartfelt soundtrack down the aisle. In contrast, The Supremes’ classic hit ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ brought the ceremony to a close. But the real showstopper was our talented band, Ear Candy, who performed their hit single ‘Black and Gold’. We’d had the pleasure of experiencing Ear Candy’s music at two previous weddings we attended, and we were blown away by their energy and talent. Our singer even played an extra hour because she was having such a blast – maybe it was the two bottles of wine we shared with her before the performance! In the end, our guests raved about the band, saying it was the best they’d ever heard, and everyone danced the night away.
Bridesmaids
The Flowers
As I have family living in South Africa, I wanted to incorporate a touch of that country’s charm into the wedding. To do so, our main flowers were stunning large pale pink Proteas, which proved to be quite heavy when used in my bouquet – we ended up using six of them! In contrast, my favourite blooms are Peonies, and they blended beautifully with other white and pink flowers, as well as some Eucalyptus foliage, to create our table décor and flower arch. For the bridesmaid bouquets, we opted for a Protea surrounded by Gypsophila, while buttonholes were crafted from Gyps, adding a subtle yet elegant touch to the overall aesthetic.
Your Photographer
The Details & Décor
As the big day approached, my bridesmaids proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with! They worked together to create a stunning flower arch for our ceremony, as well as a sumptuous ploughman’s spread for the drinks reception that really wowed our guests. The serene setting of the Cotswolds hillside meant we didn’t need to go overboard with decorations outside – just a few carefully placed candles and some gorgeous blooms on tree trunks did the trick. For the marquee, we opted for a more understated approach, using vases filled with our wedding flowers and scattering candles around to create a warm ambiance. As a special touch, each guest received a miniature bottle of pink vodka bearing our names and the wedding date – a lovely memento of the day. And once the sun dipped below the horizon, the fairy lights that illuminated the dance floor cast a magical glow, transforming the marquee into a truly romantic space.
The Honeymoon
Our Mexican escapade took us to the stunning Riviera Maya, where we indulged in unforgettable experiences at two remarkable hotels – Unico 2087 and Fairmont Mayakoba. Taking advantage of a British Airways sale, we treated ourselves to a luxurious getaway that left us not wanting to return to reality.
Memorable Moments
What stood out most vividly to me were the speeches, which left everyone in stitches. The humor was unapologetically raunchy, yet somehow managed to strike a chord with the audience. Our photographer’s candid captures of the reactions only added to the hilarity, as it became impossible to stifle a grin.
Advice For Other Couples
As you prepare for your special day, remember that your wedding is an opportunity to celebrate your love and commitment to each other. It’s essential to prioritize your own vision and desires above the opinions and expectations of others. With so many people involved in planning, it can be easy to get caught up in accommodating every request and forgetting what this day is really about – you two, and the love that brings you together. By keeping your goals and priorities at the forefront, you’ll ensure a celebration that truly reflects who you are as a couple, and that you’ll cherish for years to come.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Jessy Papasavva Photography expertly captured the fairytale-like atmosphere of [couple’s names]’s special day. The Oxford Marquees marquee, adorned with lush greenery from Twigs and Twine Florists, served as a stunning backdrop for their joyous celebration. NG Catering provided delectable delights that delighted the guests, while Laureno Makeup @charlottejball ensured the happy couple looked absolutely radiant throughout the day. The wedding invitation, designed by [couple’s names], set the tone for a truly unforgettable experience. [Couple’s names] also had a special place in their hearts for the stunning engagement ring and wedding necklace from @shawsjewellery. To top it all off, Ear Candy kept the party going with an unforgettable performance. We’re thrilled to have shared this romantic celebration with Jess and Gaz, and we can’t thank them enough for inviting us along on their special day.